As I stepped onto the baseball field for the first time as a freshman at my University, I felt a surge of excitement and nervousness coursing through my veins. Little did I know that this moment would mark the beginning of a transformative journey, both athletically and personally. Throughout my years as a student-athlete, I have experienced triumphs, setbacks, and invaluable lessons that have shaped me into the person I am today. From the very beginning, baseball has been more than just a sport to me; it's been a way of life. Growing up, I spent countless hours practicing in different conditions, honing my skills, and dreaming of the day I would be able to play at the next level. When that day finally arrived, I knew I was ready to give my all to the game and represent my team with pride. As a freshman, earning a spot on the starting lineup was a dream come true. I embraced the challenges that came with being a newcomer and approached each game with determination and passion. Through the highs of victories and the lows of defeats, I learned the importance of resilience, teamwork, and perseverance. Every practice, every game, and every interaction with my coaches and teammates served as an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. Beyond the physical demands of the sport, my athletic journey has taught me invaluable life lessons that extend far beyond the confines of the baseball diamond. I've learned the importance of time management, discipline, and sacrifice in balancing the rigorous demands of academics and athletics. Through early morning practices, late-night study sessions, and grueling road trips, I've developed a strong work ethic and a resilience that I carry with me in all aspects of my life. However, perhaps the most profound impact of my athletic journey lies in the relationships I've forged and the influence I've had on others. As a student athlete I've had the privilege to inspire young athletes and serve as a role model for them. I have always found it important to give back to my community. I have volunteered at my local little league, serving as a summer camp trainer and an umpire. Being able to have a positive impact on the youth and in my community is a great feeling. Looking ahead, I am excited about the opportunities to continue making a difference both as an athlete and as a member of my community. As I progress in my athletic career and pursue my academic goals, I am committed to using my platform to uplift and empower others. Whether it's through volunteering, mentoring, or advocating for causes close to my heart, I am determined to leave a lasting legacy that extends far beyond my achievements on the baseball field.

As an athlete, it is extremely important that I am fueling my body with the right things so I can perform at the highest level. I have lived a very active lifestyle all my life. Growing up I played basketball, baseball, golf and soccer. I have narrowed it down through my high school years as my focus has been on baseball but I also played basketball. Within the past year I have made several changes to maximize my performance on the field and my health off the field. Growing up I was always the skinny kid and ate whatever was around. I have made a conscious effort by fueling my body with the proper foods and liquids by cutting out fast foods and sugary drinks. Earlier this past fall I found myself more and more tired before and after workouts. I was getting really tired and my performance on the field was bad. I wasn’t doing any training that my body was unfamiliar with or doing extended hours of training. I pondered over many things wondering why I was so tired after activities that my body was familiar with. I finally was able to pinpoint the issue to my diet. During this time I was eating a lot of fast food and other processed foods because it was quick and easy to get after or even before a workout or a game. At the time I didn’t think much of it but when it started to affect my performance I knew I had to make a change. From that moment forward I set myself to a maximum of only getting fast food 3 times a month, only when it was needed. To go along with that I cut out soda completely and limited my intake of other sugary drinks such as juice and different sports drinks. I now constantly carry a big refillable water jug with me at all times. Instead of looking for fast food, I learned to pack certain snacks that will give my body the right nutrients and energy I need to perform at my best. Sure enough, I was playing well again and I find myself not tired anymore. Aside from keeping my diet in check, I have learned other ways to take care of my body and how to stay healthy. Getting the proper amount of sleep every night has helped me a lot. Instead of staying up late on my phone or playing video games late, I have learned to wind down and try to get some extra sleep. Sleep is when your body recovers and as an athlete I am constantly putting my body through all different types of stress every day and the only way it can recover is by resting and getting good sleep. By getting these extra hours of sleep I can tell the impact that it has made in my life. I am more energized throughout the day and my overall mood and my body feels a lot better. These changes that I have made in my life have significantly improved my health. I am performing better in athletics and I feel a lot happier in my life. Learning these new things has even inspired me to help some of my family members to try some of these things out to live a healthier and happier lifestyle.

My mom has been my biggest inspiration all my life. Her endless support and sacrifice is what keeps me motivated. She is my best friend and pushes me to be the best version of myself every day. I know it is extremely hard to be a single mother while raising a child, but she never gave up on me and showed me the importance of hard work and character. Growing up I was very active and involved in many sports. Basketball, baseball, soccer, golf you name it. Times were tough at times but she always found a way to pay for equipment, travel, and tournament costs. She always found a way to get me from one practice to another and games. She instilled in me at a very young age the importance of having a good attitude, being respectful, being a good teammate, discipline, winning and losing with humility and sportsmanship. For my middle school years, she was also my school’s basketball coach. She was a great coach, as she made it to the championship game in all 9 years of her coaching. Above her success on the court, she inspired each and every one of her players' lives and strived to make a difference in all of their lives. She offered tutoring and study hall to help her players in the classroom. Several teammates would even have dinner with us after practice if they needed to eat. Watching her throughout those years has inspired me to strive to try and make an impact on someone’s life the way she has. My mother always stressed the importance of school and my education. The classroom always came before sports no matter what. Anything below a B was not accepted in the house. This system has been drilled into me and has guided me to maintain a 4.0 GPA throughout my high school career while balancing athletics on the side. My mother instilled values in me that I will continue to demonstrate as a young man on and off the field. With my Mom by my side I have learned to accept adversity with humility, continuously grow from my mistakes, always choose honesty and always have a positive outlook. As I start the next chapter of my life and go off to college, I know my mom will continue to be my inspiration when striving toward my new goals. The thing I admire most about my mom is her unconditional love, patience and unwavering support.